I just bought a 10 year old Kubota with 280 hours

[Jstpssng]

My father's 2008 had under 300 hours on it when he died in 2017. I don't believe it has 500 hours on it now.

 

[stoyan79]

My 2011 L3700SU has just under 300, but those mechanical hour meters run super slow if you don't run the tractor wide open. I would estimate real hours are at least 2 times that.

I bought that tractor new for $16,800. I'm sure it's still worth at least that. Zero issues too.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

thoughts on a JD 2005 3320 e-hydro with 744 hrs. belly mower, york rake, rototiller, forks, bush hog, FEL, 3pt rack, super clean, looks brand new. My only issue is the year, 19yo. Original owner, all manuals, tires look new. Am I nuts for passing, $20k

Not trying to hijack, just piling on older tractors with low hours.

 

[rScotty]

thoughts on a JD 2005 3320 e-hydro with 744 hrs. belly mower, york rake, rototiller, forks, bush hog, FEL, 3pt rack, super clean, looks brand new. My only issue is the year, 19yo. Original owner, all manuals, tires look new. Am I nuts for passing, $20k

Not trying to hijack, just piling on older tractors with low hours.

Personally i'd pass. Not because of the years, though. Given the condition, that is probably a point in its favor. Those were the best years for quality and reliability, and 19 easy years is nothing for a machine expected to work hard every day for twice that long.

No, I'd pass because I don't know anything about that particular model tractor. I don't know the rep of the 3320 e-hydro and do know that every machine has its peculiarities. So I would pass unti l had a chance to do some research on that model - probably right here on TBN.
Then I might be interested or not. But not until.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Killer_B had a write up I found when looking online. Still not enough to make me pull the trigger, just not a lot of reviews out there. I don't really need york rake, 3ph rack, and upcoming limited use of rototiller. Brush hog and belly mower I would get most use from. I have bolt on forks, but the upgrade would be nice.

 

[Captain Dirty]

Does anyone know if the filter elements supplied by Kubota are water washable? Some makes are, I don't know about the Kubotas.

I treat all my paper air filters--tractor, lawn mower, shop vacs, etc.--in the same manner. Specifically. rap the filter to remove gross dust, blow with 25-30 psi air (both from inside out and along outside), wash with TSP in water, rinse, let air dry, test by blowing on it again. If the paper fails at any point, discard; if not, it is good to go.
Kubota owner's manual describes cleaning fuel filter, small engine fuel filters replaced sporadically. Hydraulic oil filters replaced on Kubota's schedule.

What chances are you willing to take?

 

[DieselBound]

Two things to consider:

1) Warranties are given for the purpose of covering early manufacturing defects- low hours means all bits aren't likely to have been fully stressed to induce failure in defective components; you will get to find out IF there are any such parts, and do do on your dime (most likely);

2) Stuff that sits can develop issues with various seals; I have this very thing with a UTV that I bought NOS (New Old Stock) that had sat for 3 years- leaking rear crank seal (fortunately the UTV is an HST and the leaks don't affect the drive output mechanics; not severe enough to warrant pulling everything apart).

Everything has a risk component to it. _Usually_ money is the means to manage risks; this is why many just opt to buy new things with warranties.

 

[dodge man]

On the JD3320 I don’t know that particular model but it seems like a fair deal to me. Normally at that price I’d say no but with all the attachments that makes it more attractive.

 

[newbury]

I would estimate real hours are at least 2 times that.

What are "real hours", especially on compact tractors?
There are at least 3 ways of counting.
I've read here that a couple of "off" brands count hours when the key in the ignition is turned off, even without the engine running.
Many count when it's turned on and the engine is running, regardless of engine speed.
Many only count based on PTO speed, so if you are not running it at say 1400RPM the hours don't reflect real world time.

 

[rScotty]

What are "real hours", especially on compact tractors?
There are at least 3 ways of counting.
I've read here that a couple of "off" brands count hours when the key in the ignition is turned off, even without the engine running.
Many count when it's turned on and the engine is running, regardless of engine speed.
Many only count based on PTO speed, so if you are not running it at say 1400RPM the hours don't reflect real world time.

I think you meant it counts "when the key in the ignition is turned ON, even without the engne running".
BTW, It may be more than just the "off" brands that use that same method.

Our older tractors were all mechanical tachs & hourmeters. They simply counted engne revolutions. If you took the tach apart it looked like a pocket watch with gears and springs. I once replaced on on our old JD because the main bearings on the tach wore out at 12,000 hours & the needle was drooping so far that it hit the face at rest. On those old machines, mowing for an hour at half the rated PTO RPM advanced the hour meter only half an hour.

Frankly, I don't know which of the three hour counting methods our new - 15 year old - Kubota uses. I keep meaning to check.

Regardless, that 280 hours is a nice number. Enough hours for a good break-in and to prove reliability on all the parts, but not enough hours for wear to be a consideration. And if it doesn't leak oil by now I doubt it ever will.
I'd call it "just right".
rScotty